Flash packed in during wedding!

CateUK · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Yesterday I had a wedding, the ceremony and the reception... practically the whole day conducted in a windowless dark hall and my 430EX decided to pack up!

Luckily I have two but I wondered if anyone had this problem. It was working fine and then wouldn't fire, the screen on the back was just flashing extremely rapidly and the there was no lights. Turning it off and on did nothing and neither did changing the batteries.

Any clues or is just dead / dying!

Thank you

Banbert · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Not had any problem with Flashes yet but this is another warning to people shooting without backups, well done for having another one you could use!

Have you been able to try it on a different body, tried it off the camera etc ? When we have a failure we swap it about to make sure its that item thats going wrong and not something communicating with it.

Hopefully its less than 12 months old ?

tim · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Never heard of that issue, try reading the back of the manual, or calling Canon tech support.

I had a 550EX behave strangely during the last wedding, not firing, so I stopped using it, shot natural light, and used the 580 on the main body. I wouldn't do a wedding without a backup, especially with my luck! The 550 worked when I tested it at home so no idea what was up with it.

CateUK · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Thanks for the replies

Banbert - it's just over 12 months! which is annoying

Tim - Thank you, I called Canon, he told me it's faulty! And should be sent in for repair so I'm arranging that and yes I read your threads about your gear problems hope that's all sorted now.

Just highly nervous as I have another wedding this Saturday and don't like going without back up!

Banbert · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Thats is annoying Cate !

how much gear have you got ? if its quite a lot you may be able to apply for CPS (or CPN depending on which version of their webby you believe) membership which is meant to get your gear that needs repair turned around in the same week rather than it being a few weeks.

CateUK · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

I just have two bodies and 3 lens and 1 working and 1 non working flash!

Is the CPS / CPN via the canon website? (sorry haven't heard of it before)

Banbert · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CateUK

I just have two bodies and 3 lens and 1 working and 1 non working flash!

Is the CPS / CPN via the canon website? (sorry haven't heard of it before)

Yes it is, the entry requirements vary from one country to another but I ignored them when I registered and just stuck all my gear in and they accepted me so I would advise anyone with a few bodies and lenses to try the same. Free EOS magazine and access to some extra services including quick turnaround of stuff that needs repair are amongst the benefits.

http://public.cps.canon-europe.com/

cosworth · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

I'd search local boards for a 550EX to pick up on the cheap.

Ideally, you are shooting weddings. Your recycle time needs are quite high. A CP-E3 or CP-E4 (580 and 580 II repspectively) would suit you very well. You need max power for bounce and excellent recycle time.

This might be a good time to consider an upgrade.

howzitboy · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

my flash finally died on me right during the ring exchange! what perfect timing huh? I just shot away w/out flash and hoped no one noticed.
after i went to back of chapel and beat up my flash to find out, i got a defective battery that dont slowly die, it just dies. wish i could have figured it out quicker, because i carry 2 more batteries in a pouch on my waist.

hania · 2nd of July 2007 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CateUK

Yesterday I had a wedding, the ceremony and the reception... practically the whole day conducted in a windowless dark hall and my 430EX decided to pack up!

Luckily I have two but I wondered if anyone had this problem. It was working fine and then wouldn't fire, the screen on the back was just flashing extremely rapidly and the there was no lights. Turning it off and on did nothing and neither did changing the batteries.

Any clues or is just dead / dying!

Thank you

Had the same with my 580EX - bought in May! I took the batteries out etc - Just same. When I went back to it 2 days later & put fresh batteries in - all was OK. I spoke to my local Canon place & he said its probably a short - circuit ! I shall take it in after my next event! (I had a thread on this last week - we are not alone in having this problem)

CateUK · 4th of July 2007 (Wed)

Thanks everyone, I sign up with them Banbert, thank you for the tip!

Just for the record, I've tried it again, changed the batteries (again) and it seems fine!

But I think it may be time to get a back up for my back up!

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#1
CateUK Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 268 IMAGE EDITING OK	Flash packed in during wedding! Yesterday I had a wedding, the ceremony and the reception... practically the whole day conducted in a windowless dark hall and my 430EX decided to pack up! Luckily I have two but I wondered if anyone had this problem. It was working fine and then wouldn't fire, the screen on the back was just flashing extremely rapidly and the there was no lights. Turning it off and on did nothing and neither did changing the batteries. Any clues or is just dead / dying! Thank you

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#2
Banbert User is banned from forums Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leamington Spa, UK Posts: 1,514 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! Not had any problem with Flashes yet but this is another warning to people shooting without backups, well done for having another one you could use! Have you been able to try it on a different body, tried it off the camera etc ? When we have a failure we swap it about to make sure its that item thats going wrong and not something communicating with it. Hopefully its less than 12 months old ?

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#3
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 35,559 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! Never heard of that issue, try reading the back of the manual, or calling Canon tech support. I had a 550EX behave strangely during the last wedding, not firing, so I stopped using it, shot natural light, and used the 580 on the main body. I wouldn't do a wedding without a backup, especially with my luck! The 550 worked when I tested it at home so no idea what was up with it. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#4
CateUK Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 268 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! Thanks for the replies Banbert - it's just over 12 months! which is annoying Tim - Thank you, I called Canon, he told me it's faulty! And should be sent in for repair so I'm arranging that and yes I read your threads about your gear problems hope that's all sorted now. Just highly nervous as I have another wedding this Saturday and don't like going without back up!

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#5
Banbert User is banned from forums Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leamington Spa, UK Posts: 1,514 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! Thats is annoying Cate ! how much gear have you got ? if its quite a lot you may be able to apply for CPS (or CPN depending on which version of their webby you believe) membership which is meant to get your gear that needs repair turned around in the same week rather than it being a few weeks.

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#8
cosworth I'm comfortable with my masculinity Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Westminster, Canada Posts: 10,913	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! I'd search local boards for a 550EX to pick up on the cheap. Ideally, you are shooting weddings. Your recycle time needs are quite high. A CP-E3 or CP-E4 (580 and 580 II repspectively) would suit you very well. You need max power for bounce and excellent recycle time. This might be a good time to consider an upgrade. __________________ jasonhollister.com Think your camera is noisy at high ISO? Click here People will always try to stop you doing the right thing if it is unconventional

2nd of July 2007 (Mon)	#9
howzitboy Goldmember Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 2,122 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! my flash finally died on me right during the ring exchange! what perfect timing huh? I just shot away w/out flash and hoped no one noticed. after i went to back of chapel and beat up my flash to find out, i got a defective battery that dont slowly die, it just dies. wish i could have figured it out quicker, because i carry 2 more batteries in a pouch on my waist.

4th of July 2007 (Wed)	#11
CateUK Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 268 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Flash packed in during wedding! Thanks everyone, I sign up with them Banbert, thank you for the tip! Just for the record, I've tried it again, changed the batteries (again) and it seems fine! But I think it may be time to get a back up for my back up!

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